Am I the one one who finds luxurious grand tourers with supercar efficiency extra fascinating than supercars? This Bentley Continental GT Le Mans Version is the final word GT, made much more particular because it’s the final name for Crewe’s iconic W12 engine in a world the place electrical energy can’t be ignored, even for the likes of Bentley.
This automobile – secured by a purchaser in Malaysia for RM4,540,696 together with taxes – is one in every of 48 models of the Continental GT and GTC from the Le Mans Assortment, which marks the twentieth anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory on the world’s most well-known endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Final yr was additionally the one centesimal anniversary of the primary Le Mans race, the place Bentley recorded the quickest lap.
The Le Mans Assortment contains distinctive exterior and inside particulars that echo the design of the Le Mans-winning Velocity 8 race automobile, which as you’d have guessed, wore the quantity seven. All Le Mans Conti GTs are in Verdant Inexperienced with a Moonbeam racing stripe throughout the bonnet and roof. Bentley’s chrome-replacing Blackline specification is current, a handy nod to the green-black livery of the Velocity 8.
Carbon fibre bits from the Styling specification are completed in black with a refined pinstripe in Moonbeam. The decrease entrance bumper, wing mirror caps and rear ‘horseshoe’ space beneath the bootlid spoiler are all in Beluga black. Additionally in black are the putting 22-inch 10-spoke wheels – behind them are carbon ceramic brakes with purple calipers.
Essentially the most distinguished mark of a Le Mans Assortment automobile is the #7 painted on the Bentley matrix grille, which was initially developed to guard the radiator on the unpaved Le Mans racetrack of the Twenties.
Step inside and also you’ll discover a host of particular touches – whereas some are apparent, others are virtually Easter egg-like. The very first thing that greets you is a bespoke welcome lamp that tasks the 2003 wreath on the bottom. The Conti’s cockpit is generally lined in Beluga conceal, however you’ll discover Dynamica cloth on the seat faces. Distinction is courtesy of Hotspur (Bentley, it actually ought to be known as Gooner purple) on the stitching, seatbelts and steering trim.
The stunning dual-finish veneer (Piano black and high-gloss carbon fibre, chrome pinstripe divider) has six wreaths (representing every Le Mans win) inlaid into the CF portion, and the six wreaths seem once more on the treadplates, which sit subsequent to Velocity 8 sill plates. It might sound like so much, nevertheless it’s all tastefully finished.
We transfer to the extra hidden cues, beginning with the bit from the precise Le Mans-winning Velocity 8 race automobile. Bentley’s tremendous cool three-way rotating show (touchscreen, twin veneer for a ‘clean’ look, analogue dials) hides a vitrine that shows part of the race automobile’s engine valve. The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 from the Velocity 8 was eliminated after the race and preserved – now, 24 of its 32 valves have been bisected to create artefacts for this restricted version.
One other contact is within the clock – gone is the usual analogue timepiece, changed by a digital one with a bespoke 24-hour design. 24h, after all.
Below that lengthy hood lies the famend W12 TSI engine, a 6.0-litre twin-turbo big with 659 PS and 900 Nm of torque. Now discontinued, this regal mill pushes the Conti GT from relaxation to 100 km/h in simply 3.6 seconds, on the way in which to a prime velocity of 335 km/h. Extremely respectable figures, however in a automobile that has each conceivable luxurious and what should be just a few cows value of conceal, it’s mind-blowing.
Conserving all of it collectively is a mix of Bentley Dynamic Experience three-chamber air supension, the above-mentioned carbon ceramic brakes, variable ESC, all-wheel steering an an digital restricted slip differential.
As soon as once more, this automobile belongs to somebody in Malaysia who paid RM4,540,696, together with taxes and duties, for the privilege. All 48 Le Mans Assortment automobiles have been spoken for. This might probably the most effective mementos from the ICE period to take into the electrical age; suitably, the keys are available a pleasant presentation field with a Velocity 8 inside.
GALLERY: Bentley Continental GT Le Mans Version in Malaysia
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